Biography

Country music performer. Born March 13, 1930. Real name: Lula Grace Johnson Howard. Performer and recording artists. Married to songwriter Harlan Howard, 1957-1967. Her hit recordings include “Evil On Your Mind” (1966) and “Bad Seed” (1966), and several duets with Bill Anderson, including “For Loving You” (1967). Joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1971. Author of the autobiography, Sunshine and Shadow (New York: Richardson & Steirman, 1987).

Interview Summary

1991 May 23
(1 hour, 11 minutes)
Country performer Jan Howard participates in an interview for the Country Music Foundation-compiled Patsy Cline Collection (MCA, 1991). Discussion includes her first meeting with Cline; memories of listening to Cline on the radio; her friendship with Cline; Cline’s influence on her as an artist; Cline’s vocal style; the story behind Cline’s recording of “I Fall to Pieces” and “Faded Love”; the enduring quality of Cline’s recordings; aspects of Cline’s personality; memories of Cline in the recording studio and her work with Owen Bradley; and Cline’s role breaking down barriers for later female performers.